Hoyer Statement on Discharge Petition to Appoint Budget Conferees

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today aftersigning a discharge petition that would bring to the House Floor a resolution by Budget Committee Ranking Member Chris Van Hollen that calls on Speaker Boehner to continue the budget process and appoint conferees:

"It has been 91 days since the House passed its budget, but Speaker Boehner has yet to follow regular order by appointing conferees. Only then can negotiations with the Senate on a final version begin in earnest. A budget conference is the best shot at reaching a compromise agreement on a big and balanced solution to our deficits that can replace the entire sequester and provide American families and businesses with the certainty they need.

"There is no more time to waste for Congress to get to work, which is why I am signing the discharge petition to force a vote on Budget Committee Ranking Member Chris Van Hollen's resolution calling on the Speaker to delay no further in appointing conferees. I hope our colleagues from both sides of the aisle will join us on this petition to send a strong message for regular order in the House - something Speaker Boehner has long stated as his goal."